'Not a step back': Colombia president defiant in response to US sanctions

The US Treasury Department announced Friday that it has imposed sanctions on Colombian President Gustavo Petro, as well as his wife and son, citing allegations that he failed to take action against drug trafficking in Colombia.

In a statement, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, “President Petro allowed drug cartels to flourish and refused to confront this activity. President Trump is taking strong measures to protect our nation and to make clear that we will not tolerate the trafficking of drugs into our country.”

The sanctions include freezing the assets of President Petro and his family in the United States and prohibiting any financial dealings with them within US jurisdiction.

Petro responds defiantly

Colombian President Gustavo Petro responded quickly on Friday, adopting a defiant tone to the US sanctions against him and his family, marking a new chapter in the strained relations between the two allied countries.

On social media, Petro wrote, “Not one step back and never on my knees,” echoing slogans historically used by Latin American revolutionaries.

The sanctions further complicate US-Colombia relations, which have already faced tension over issues of security, drug trafficking, and regional diplomacy.